Sccermaniak06

Hey guys just wondering if you guys could help me out. I have a 2002 C230 Kompressor coupe and when I go over speed bumps or rocky roads the front suspension makes squeaky noises, but only sometimes. Any suggestions about what it could be? anything serious?

Glyn M Ruck

Lubricate anti sway bar bushings with silicone grease or replace. Usually the first to make a noise.

Next to go are the castor arm bushes. They crack, leak silicone fluid & usually clonk rather than squeek. If they are damaged usually effects wheel alignment & causes feathering on the front tyres. These are a known weakness

None are life threatening. - Good luck

TemjinX2

1+ to glyn. I agree check the sway bar brushings first.

glocati

Glyn, quick question: When you say "castor arm bushings", that's the same as as saying lower control arm bushing? Just curious...Thanks, Greg

Mercury

hmm, i hope this will help.
I went to the dealer last week for the same reason, noise came from the passenger side suspension when i drive over speed bump.
Dealer found the problem and replaced the sway bar link (I hope i did not spell it wrong).
I paid zero because my car is under warranty.
BTW i have 2005 c230 sedan.

Glyn M Ruck

Yep, all the bushings on the anti sway bar are potential noise makers

Sccermaniak06

Thanks guys, i appreciate it. ill check it out

Glyn M Ruck

I say Castor Arm Bushings because that is the correct terminology & yes it's the same as what you are calling the lower control arm bushing. That arm & bushings control the castor angle on these cars.

Castor is the angle to which the steering pivot axis is tilted forward or rearward from vertical, as viewed from the side. If the pivot axis is tilted backward (that is, the top pivot is positioned farther rearward than the bottom pivot), then the castor is positive; if it's tilted forward, then the caster is negative.

Positive caster tends to straighten the wheels when the vehicle is travelling forward, and thus is used to enhance straight-line stability.



Mercedes terminology:



Hence those are the Castor Arm Bushings

Oh! & sorry - I spell Castor the English way

Glyn M Ruck

Hey Splinter - I "elucidated" as requested - what happened to your post & sexy picture

glocati

Great info Glyn. Thanks, Greg

Glyn M Ruck

A pleasure Greg - you may continue to call it the lower control arm as long as we all understand one another - terminology varies across the pond - you know. lift = elevator, boot = trunk, bonnet = hood etc.

glocati

Ha Ha. So true Glyn. Either way, great info. I was scheduled to have my castor arm/lower control arm bushings changed today (I have the "clonk") but had to re-schedule. We have over a foot of snow here in Orgeon, USA. The wagon is staying in garage for awhile.